Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

After getting my female 2011 Eastern about 10 days ago, I received my 2011 male last Tuesday. The female is at this point the larger of the two, at 4.5 feet and nice and thick (I have a pic posted about two threads down). The male is probably 3.5 feet or so, and not as robust but healthy and beautiful. They are both doing great, already eating and pooping.

I am looking for some input.

The male seems very calm and secure when handled. He is alert and inquisitive, yet not shy or flighty.

The larger female gets her throat puffy, and will try to flee when getting her from the cage. She is docile and hasn't shown any aggression, but is clearly a bit more nervous when handled.

Part of the reason I am so excited about these snakes is the interaction and their temperaments. How do I go about getting her more confident when handled? I know it's only been a short time that I've had her, and I picked her up myself and know she was well cared for. Is it a matter of her getting settled in a new home, or is this just typical of Indigos at this age? Do they automatically get more confident with age?

FYI: their set ups are, as far as I can tell, just right. Warm side 82 during the day, cool side 74; night drops to 74 warm, about 70 cool side. Hide boxes, including a humid hide box in each cage. Fresh water always, and both are eating off a paper plate.

Thanks for any help!

If she is eating and thriving, I would not worry about the huffiness. There is individual variation with behavior in snakes just like with people. I would not force handling; she will likely settle down as she becomes more familiar with you and her new setting. It is possible she is just not used to being handled, but she will come around. I would not force it.

Thanks for the input. I have several other snakes, and realize that there are differences in personality. For boas, some breeders and keepers recommend you handle immediately and often to get them acclimated to you. Others recommend "do not touch" for about 2 weeks to let the boa get used to its new home.

My philosophy has been to handle immediately, but for shorter sessions. Like 15 minutes per day, and as long as they are feeding/thriving to keep this up. The only exception was my GTPs as babies which were left alone until they were near one year old. I have only had one snake (a dwarf Corn Island boa) that was so feisty and defensive once out of its cage, and no amount of handling helped.

Because of the famed personality of the Easterns, I was curious of there was anything different I should expect. Neither have shown any sign of biting or striking (which I understand is the norm for nearly all Easterns). But I don't want to cause them unnecessary stress just after settling into a new place.

Mine handle much better if I am sitting down when I hold them. They seem more secure that way.

I agree, each snake is different in personality but the do calm down with age & size. Some people handle more than others but Easterns are generally very docile out of the egg.
Yellowtails tend to be the most nervous & flighty of the Dry`s.

just let them settle in & get used to you & their new environment & they will settle down eventally.

Good luck & enjoy, best snakes ever!

Andy.